Simple beginnings

The Bonsai club was founded in 1981 by Ben Scholari to bring together bonsai enthusiasts from across the Salt Lake Valley. The club brings people together to discuss, learn and advance our understanding of an art form intertwined with a living tree. It enables ideas and different views of bonsai to be discussed and implemented by the club members.

In spring and fall club member bring their trees to Red Butte Gardens to share their work.

Join us at the Garden Center at Sugarhouse Park (1610 E 2100 S). Meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 7pm.

19 thoughts on “Simple beginnings”

I have the wrong address for the Bonsai Club of Utah/treasurer Konnor Jensen. I am trying to send out the annual dues statement. The dues are due December 31, 2015. Could you please give me a correct address for the Bonsai Club? Thank you.

There are yearly dues, and I think they are $25 a year (I could be wrong, I don’t remember the exact amount). The spring show is coming up this weekend at Red Butte Gardens, so you can come to that and see what club members produce and get more information.

I was not able to attend the spring show. I notice that there is a monthly meeting on the last wednesday of every month. Is this still happening each month? If I can I will attend the meeting on the 27th.

Yes, the meetings still take place at the time and location posted on the website. Hope you make it to the meeting. The club is bringing in Peter Tea this summer for a workshop, so if you’re interested be sure to ask about it. Should be a great learning experience.

I recently bought what I was told is a bonsai Trident Maple. But I know nothing about the art and want to learn. I believe the tree may not be trimmed correctly, so I have some work ahead of me. Do I just show up to the meeting? Do I bring my tree? What other things do I need?

Yes, please come! There are quite a few members (myself included) that have trident maples in lots of different stages of development. They are generally great trees to work with, and the only real challenge is keeping them from getting too cold in the winter. Japanese maples can take more cold than tridents, but other than that they’re a great species to work with. They grow fast and are generally pretty forgiving. Bring the tree along and there’ll be a chance to discuss the tree with other club members. If you enjoy the experience, you can join the club (the dues are $25-$35 a year… can’t remember the exact amount off the top of my head).

I am trying to find a home for a bonsai tree nurtured by my brother. He died in December and left a beautiful fig bonsai that is about 30 years old. He had it in a growth stage and had spoken of cutting it back soon. The tree is in Montana where he lived, but I could bring it to Utah soon if an appropriate home is available.
Please contact me, Cheryl, at cheryl.henley@gmail.com or 801-876-2653 (leave msg. if needed) if there is a way to place this little tree where it can continue to thrive. Many thanks.

Good morning. How pleased I am to learn of this club.
I was given a bonsai several years ago by an acquaintance who was leaving the country and couldn’t take it with him. I’ve managed to keep it alive. But my ignorance is proving a detriment and it is beginning to show signs of failing. I would gladly give it to someone who knows how to care for it, as it is a beautiful tree and should live. Kindly contact me if you’re interested. Thank you.
Louise at louisebrown.amar@gmail.com
My thanks to you.

I have noticed you don’t monetize your website, don’t waste
your traffic, you can earn extra bucks every month because you’ve got
high quality content. If you want to know how to make extra money, search for: Boorfe’s tips best adsense alternative

Has anyone here ever worked with a mountain mahogany? I am new to bonsai but hike extensively and every time I see one in the mountains I think it would be great as a bonsai, though I am no expert. Any styling/soil/general growth tips?

I am new to Utah and Bonzai and am looking to learn more. If there are resources about optimal local or locally resilient trees, for a beginner, I would be interested in checking them out. I am open to any and all advice. Is the club still meeting on Wednesday nights? How is best for me to link up with someone to find out more?